Swan District
HISTORY MEETS DIVERSITY
Discover Western Australia’s oldest wine-producing area just north of Perth. This sun-drenched region makes an impressively diverse range of wines, from light, bright sparkling wines to rich fortified styles.
The first vines were planted in the warm Swan District wine region in 1830 and it put the western state on the wine map. The Swan District encompasses the important subregion of the Swan Valley, tucked into the region’s south-east corner.
Take in the sights on a Swan River cruise or a scenic drive that encompasses historic towns, eateries, cellar doors and breweries, and enjoy just-picked produce at roadside stalls.
31° 50’S
latitude
115° 98’E
longitude
8,90HA
total vineyard area
Climate and Altitude
This generally flat region has a Mediterranean climate and is one of Australia’s warmest grape-growing areas. Vines thrive in the warm, dry conditions and benefit from a cooling afternoon sea breeze (known locally as the Fremantle Doctor).
151MM
growing season rainfall
24.7C
mean temperature
0-283M
altitude
The Environment
Just 30 minutes’ drive north of Perth, the Swan District wine region covers a large area that includes the Swan Valley plus a handful of wineries further north. It lies on a flat, alluvial plain beside the sweeping Swan River.
Climate
The region basks in sunshine year round. Summers are generally hot and dry, with most rain falling during the cooler months of winter and spring.
Soil
Soils range from coastal sands over limestone to red and gravelly loams to grey sand over clay. The diversity of soils allows the region to produce a wide range of wines.
Top Varieties Grown
CHENIN BLANC
One of the star varieties of the Swan District, Chenin Blanc produces a diverse range of styles, from bright and crisp to rich and full-flavoured white wines with good ageing potential.
CHARDONNAY
Chardonnay grows well in the Swan District wine region, and particularly in the light soils of the Swan Valley. It produces a range of white wine styles and is also used in the region’s sparkling wines.
SHIRAZ
The region’s warmer climate helps to produce rich, full-flavoured Shiraz wines. There are still some old Shiraz vines here producing special wines. Good-quality bottles can be aged for many years.
FORTIFIED WINES
The Swan District wine region, and the Swan Valley in particular, has a strong tradition of making sweet, opulent and highly praised fortified wines, including Port, Muscat and Pedro Ximénez.
